The home of Yorkshire dialect verse
A proper Yorkshire
welcome.
The words, voices and character of the White Rose County. Read a verse, hear it spoken, and discover the people keeping Yorkshire dialect alive.
Rooted in Yorkshire. Shared with the world.
Words worth keeping
Step into the collection.
Original dialect, familiar characters and a warm welcome for Tykes everywhere.
A way with words
Discover original verse, memories and stories in Yorkshire dialect.
Browse Verse A–Z →
Meet the Tykes
The writers and characters behind the words, with their stories and photographs.
Explore our authors →
Wot does it mean?
From “abide” to “yonder”: explore the words that give Yorkshire its voice.
Open the dictionary →A family story
It started with
Len’s words.
This site began as a tribute to Len Wilde and his friends. Kevin brought their verse online so it could be read, heard and enjoyed by generations to come.
if ah pur it up on t’net.”
Many of the writers here are members of the Wakefield & District U3A. Their verse captures everyday life, memories, humour and the richness of Yorkshire speech.
There’s more to Yorkshire.
A Yorkshire chuckle
A collection of anecdotes, jokes and the county’s unmistakable humour.
Read the humour →
From the recipe book
Family recipes, many from the 1930s, kept in their original words and measures.
Browse the recipes →
Hear it as it’s spoken
Listen to recorded verses, wherever possible in the author’s own voice.
Explore the recordings →Pull up a chair.
The vagaries of the Yorkshire Dialect are many and various, but there exists a band of enthusiasts Colloquially known as Tykes) who are determined to see it continue by the creation of original Yorkshire Dialect Verse. Many of the authors here are members of the Wakefield & District U.3.A.
Some of the verses have been recorded (where possible by the author), and when you see the MP3 button next to the text of a recorded verse you may download or play the MP3 version.
If tha knows nowt, say nowt an appen nob’dy ‘ll notice. Bur if tha’s gor a bit er verse tha’d leek purrin’ up ere then wang it dahn t’email pipe reet nah.
Ex Pats
Our Ex Pats page gives some useful links, and you can always visit ExPat Index for more Ex Pat News.
To discover why this site was created take a trip here.
This site is here to encourage this creative talent from the White Rose County. If you have any original Yorkshire Dialect Verse you would like to contribute then please email me the text, and if you haven’t published here before – please also include a profile of yourself and if you have one attach a photo.
Where to start
My father Kevin Wilde’s favourites are Nowt’s Same Terday by Dennis Rhodes, and The Mechanic by the same author is worth a visit just for the last verse alone. Also take a look at Erroo’as by one of our more recent contributors, Benny Wilkinson.